Reserves defend Snowdonia in multinational exercise

Soldiers from three different continents came together yesterday to simulate a battle for an airfield and power station in North Wales.

Defence Minister Mark Lancaster attended the event.

In Snowdonia, leading the most ambitious exercise they have ever conducted, was the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC).

The HAC, who regularly train in Wales, is the oldest regiment in the British Army with a history dating back to 1537. They are the Army’s only Reserve Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA) Regiment and exist to support the Regular Army on operations.

In a mock scenario, elements of the HAC had to protect Llanbedr airfield and the Trawsfynydd decommissioned power station, with patrols from the regiment keeping it under surveillance. Supporting the exercise were soldiers from Malaysia, Japan and Ireland, as well as personnel from the US Army and US Marines.

Defence Minister Mark Lancaster attended the event.

Defence Minister Mark Lancaster was on hand to see what was the largest UK ground-based air defence exercise since 2003.

Defence Minister Mark Lancaster said:

As this incredible exercise in Snowdonia has shown today, our Reservists have real specialist skills which give us a cutting edge as a global military force. It’s been great to see Wales at the heart of a truly international exercise here today which shows how the Armed Forces can keep us safe both abroad, and at home.

Major Johnny Longbottom, Senior Major of HAC, said:

The terrain in North Wales is of course demanding and challenging, but we can match that and it’s great to showcase the incredible capability we have. Having a global group gather here today was an honour and further underlines our position as having one of the world’s leading militaries.